Dementia is often viewed strictly through a medical lens—a diagnosis to be managed or a condition to be treated. However, as the global population ages, we are witnessing a crucial shift in perspective. Dementia is not just a health issue; it is a matter of equity, disability, and fundamental human rights.
Currently, more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. By 2050, that number is expected to exceed 139 million. Despite these staggering figures, older persons with dementia frequently find themselves on the periphery of human rights discussions. Their autonomy is often questioned, their voices sidelined, and their capacity to make decisions undermined.
This year marks a turning point. We have a unique opportunity to change the narrative and ensure that the rights of those living with dementia are enshrined in international law. On 10 February 2026, the global community will come together for a pivotal virtual event: “Who Decides? Human Rights Principles That Matter to Older People with Dementia.”
Here is why this rally is essential and why your participation matters.
A Landmark Moment for Human Rights in 2026
The year 2026 is significant for the international human rights framework. The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) is set to begin drafting a legally binding UN Convention on the rights of older persons. This is a historic opportunity to codify protections that have been long overdue.
Conventions are powerful tools. They are built on “General Principles”—core values that guide how every article within a treaty is interpreted and applied. We have seen how principles like ‘dignity and autonomy’ shaped the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or how ‘substantive equality’ became the bedrock of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
For older persons with dementia, this drafting process offers a timely opening to make their specific human rights visible. But for these principles to be effective, they must reflect reality. They cannot be decided in a vacuum by policymakers alone. They must be grounded in the lived experiences of those who navigate these challenges every single day.
About the Age With Rights Rally 2026
Organised by Age Knowble as part of the broader Age With Rights Global Rally, with the valued support of IFS, this event is designed to create a space for critical dialogue. IFS is proud to stand alongside other international partners in promoting this important rally, helping to amplify awareness and encourage broad participation from the global community. Together, we aim to answer the provocative question: Who decides?
Event Details:
- Date: 10 February 2026
- Time: 7:00 am CET
- Format: Global Virtual Event
The rally serves as a platform to identify the specific human rights principles that matter most to this group. It is grounded in the ethos of equal voices and equal rights, bringing together lived experience, policy insight, and practice-based knowledge from across the globe.
Elevating Lived Experience
One of the most compelling aspects of this rally is its commitment to centering the voices of people actually living with dementia. Too often, “experts” speak for this community rather than with them. This event flips that dynamic.
We will hear directly from advocates like Emily Ong from Singapore and Jim Mann from Canada.
Emily Ong, diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2017, has become a powerful voice in Asia and globally. Her work spans the WHO Guidelines Development Group and patient advocacy movements. She brings firsthand knowledge of the stigma and discrimination that often accompanies a diagnosis.
Jim Mann, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007, focuses on the meaningful and ethical engagement of people living with dementia. His work in Canada has been instrumental in countering negative stereotypes and promoting an inclusive society where a diagnosis does not mean the end of one’s contribution to the community.
By listening to their realities, challenges, and aspirations, we can begin to understand what truly matters in their everyday lives. It is these stories that must inform the principles of the new UN Convention.
Bridging Experience with Policy
While lived experience is the foundation, systemic change requires the collaboration of technical experts and organisations to translate these stories into policy frameworks.
The rally features a robust lineup of panellists who bridge the gap between community-level knowledge and high-level policy. We will hear from:
- DY Suharya, Regional Director for Alzheimer’s Disease International (Asia Pacific), who works to improve the quality of life for families in Indonesia.
- Monica Kinyanjui, Founder of Women for Dementia Africa, who advocates for women who disproportionately shoulder the burden of caregiving and illness.
- Dr. Debanjan Banerjee, a geriatric psychiatrist from India who integrates person-centred care with public health awareness.
- Yongjie Yon from the World Health Organization (Europe), a technical officer focusing on age-friendly cities and combating ageism.
Together with representatives from National Human Rights Institutions, these experts will discuss which General Principles must be included in the Convention and, crucially, why they are necessary from a practical and medical perspective.
What We Aim to Achieve Together
The objectives of the Age With Rights Rally extend beyond simple discussion. This is an action-oriented event aimed at shaping global input for the UN drafting process.
1. Hearing Truth to Power
The primary objective is to listen. By hearing directly from older persons with dementia, we validate their identity and their right to be heard. We move beyond the statistics to the human beings behind them.
2. Identifying Core Principles
We aim to surface the specific human rights principles that emerge from lived experiences. Is it the right to legal capacity? The right to independent living? The right to be free from chemical restraint? These principles will be identified through the lens of those most affected.
3. Shaping Global Advocacy
The perspectives shared by panellists and participants will directly inform civil society engagement in the OHCHR Intergovernmental Working Group. This is about equipping advocates with the arguments and evidence they need to push for a strong Convention.
4. Building a Movement
Finally, this rally is an invitation to join the Age With Rights campaign. It is an opportunity to stand alongside GAROP members, partners, and allies to advance the rights of older persons globally.
Why Your Participation Matters
Dementia spans health, disability, gender, and social determinants. It is a cross-cutting issue that likely affects someone you know or love.
When society fails to recognise the human rights of people with dementia, it leads to isolation, abuse, and a loss of dignity. By participating in this rally, you are helping to build a future where a diagnosis does not strip a person of their rights.
During the event, there will be opportunities for global community participation. Through interactive segments and open mic sharing, you can contribute your views on the principles that matter. Whether you are from civil society, the public sector, or simply a concerned citizen, your input helps build a collective voice that is harder for governments to ignore.
Conclusion
The road to a UN Convention is long and complex, but the destination—a world where older persons with dementia live with dignity, autonomy, and respect—is worth the effort.
The “Who Decides?” rally is more than a webinar; it is a step toward justice. It is a declaration that older people with dementia have the right to decide how they live, how they are treated, and how their rights are protected.
We invite you to be part of this critical conversation. Join us on 10 February 2026, and let us ensure that when history is written, the voices of older persons with dementia are on the page.
Join the movement. Register for the Age With Rights Rally 2026 today
Speakers and Co-Sponsors: PDF and PNG attached
Agenda & Speaker Bios: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG9bTIQX7w/OtlSOQs_c-DKcaJ0aS1Y_A/view?utm_content=DAG9bTIQX7w&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h121d6d4713
Zoom Registration: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Time Zone Converter: Event Time Announcer – Who Decides? Human Rights Principles That Matter to Older Persons with Dementia.
poster below
Who Decides The Human Rights Principles That Matter to Older Persons with Dementia-Updated
Recent Comments